10 Drinking Dens to Add to Your Bucket List

There’s nothing better than a tipple or two after a long day of work. And with so many new bars popping up in and around the CBD, there are even more reasons to meet up with your mates for craft beers, cocktails, or vinos after work. If you’re looking for a new drinking den close to the office, these new whiskey bars, cocktail lounges, and nightclubs have all the right elements for a great night out. Think awesome locations, buzzy vibes, top-notch tipples, and tasty bar bites.

 

1. 360 Lounge

Located on the 20th floor of Oxley Tower, 360 Lounge is a sleek new spot to let your hair down and get in on a dance sesh. The decor is edgy and modern with wall murals and kinetic lighting and the vibes are spot on with DJs throwing down fresh beats every night. For great prices stop by during happy hours from 5:30pm to 8pm during the week or on Monday night when happy hours go on all night long with beers and house pours for $6++ and 20% percent off bottles. Cheers to affordable beers!

360 Lounge, 138 Robinson Road, Oxley Tower #20-01, Singapore 068906. p. +65 8468 3291. Open Mon – Tues 5:30pm – 1am, Wed – Thurs 5:30pm – 2am, Fri – Sat 5:30pm – 3am

 

2. The Cooperage

Trendy Hong Kong Street is a prime locale for The Cooperage, a stylish new whiskey bar. Inside you’ll find cushy leather booths, polished wooden tables, and shelves lined with whiskies from around the world. Some of the drams are priced by age, so a 12-year single malt will set you back $12++ and a 21-year goes for $21++. You can also sample special whiskey flights and tuck into hearty fare like grilled meats and seafood.

The Cooperage, 42 Hong Kong Street, Singapore 059681. p. +65 8699 9366. Open Mon – Sat 3pm – 12am

 

3. Eliza

Eliza made our new restaurant and bar hit list for November because we think this buzzy new place is really going to take off. The concept is part restaurant, part cocktail lounge, and part nightclub. Start the evening with some small Shanghai-style plates, followed by a classic cocktail or two while you groove to the live band. After the band finishes, the DJ hits the decks with dance-worthy beats until late.

Eliza, 113 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068582. p. +65 6781 4708. Open Mon – Fri 5pm – 3am, Sat 6pm – 4am

 

4. IB HQ

Newly opened just a month or so ago, IB HQ is the brainchild of Zurina Bryant and Kamil Fotan, founders of the Indigenous Bartender, an online platform for foodies and mixologists. The bar is an extension of IB and a proper brick and mortar space where the duo can showcase unique cocktails made with Asian ingredients. Take for example the Wai Lin with matcha gin, yuzu vodka and Lillet Blanc.

IB HQ, 774A North Bridge Road, Singapore 198742. p. +65 9025 3234. Open Tues – Sat 5pm – 12am

 

5. Long Bar

The famous Long Bar at Raffles Hotel is back with a fresh new look inspired by 1920s plantation life. Expect lots of lush greenery, dark wood, and a relaxed atmosphere where guests are encouraged to sweep peanut shells from the bar to the floor. This is the birthplace of the Singapore Sling, so one of those fruity concoctions is definitely in order. You can also grab tons of other classic cocktails and contemporary creations.

Long Bar, 1 Beach Road, Raffles Hotel Singapore, Level 2, Singapore 189673. p. +65 6412 1230. Open daily 11am – 11pm

 

6. MO Bar

Celebrate the spirit of the Pacific at MO Bar, a classy new cocktail lounge at the Mandarin Oriental Singapore. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow for views all around and island-inspired touches include wooden carvings and hand-woven textiles. Sidle up to the centre bar and sample tropical tipples like the Back to Bali with Indonesian pandan rum and ginger lemon iced tea. They also do a divine afternoon tea with locally-inspired sweets and treats.

MO Bar, 5 Raffles Avenue, Marina Square, Mandarin Oriental Singapore, Singapore 039797. p. +65 6885 3500. Open Sun – Thurs 11am – 1am, Fri – Sat 11am – 2am

 

7. Mona Lounge

Hidden away on the second floor of Sum Yi Tai, Mona Lounge is a cosy watering hole that we bet won’t be secret for so long. Get your lock code either online or from one of the Sum Yi Tai servers, then make your way up the stairs to this cosy little spot with leather couches and mellow pink and orange lighting. On the menu you’ll find Asian-inspired cocktails and tasty bar bites like wontons in chili oil and crispy roast pork.

Mona Lounge, 25 Boon Tat Street, Sum Yi Tai, Singapore 069622. p. +65 6221 3665. Open Mon – Sat 6pm – 1am

 

8. The Other Roof

Brought to us by the same folks behind The Other Room, this cool rooftop spot does things a little differently. Here you’ll find over 400 different spirits, all created in-house and finished with bespoke tea blends. This makes for some pretty interesting cocktails like the Teaspresso Martini with Patron XO tequila, cold brew coffee, sugar, and tiramisu tea vodka. Pair your bevvies with bites like the pesto and truffle bikini and Spanish cheese platter.

The Other Roof, 28 Ann Siang Road, Singapore 069708. p. +65 6100 2882. Open Tues – Sat 4:30pm – 12am, Sun 3pm – 11pm

 

9. The Whiskey Library

Whiskey lovers have a luxurious new drinking den with the opening of The Whiskey Library in the Vagabond Club hotel. Here you’ll find over 1,000 different types of whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, Japan, and the US including rare finds and limited editions. Join the membership programme and you get your own locker that can fit up to 15 bottles, special discounted prices, and reserved seating at The Whiskey Library events.

The Whiskey Library, 39 Syed Alwi Road, Singapore 207630. p. +65 6291 6677

 

10. White Label Records

With a fab selection of records for sale by day and martinis and mojitos on offer in the evenings, the vibes are pretty groovy at White Label Records. Step inside and you find cool marble floor tiles, funky artworks, and vinyl lining the walls. Grab yourself a craft beer or chrysanthemum martini and settle in for some great tunes from the owners’ collection or the regularly changing guest DJs.

White Label Records, 28 Ann Siang Road #01-01, Ann Siang House, Singapore 069708. p. +65 6220 6076. Open daily 11am – 9pm

 

11. Koma

12. Writer’s Bar

Raffles has been undergoing a huge revamp over the past year with new drinking and dining venues being added to the iconic hotel, and the Writer’s Bar is the latest to open. The bar pays tribute to all the famous writers who have stayed at the hotel throughout its illustrious history and provides a space that is perfect for sparking inspiration. Think a solid brass bar, glittering chandelier, and a selection of handcrafted cocktails, champagne, and premium spirits.

Writer’s Bar, 1 Beach Rd, Raffles Singapore, Grand Lobby, Singapore 189673. p. +65 6337 1886. Open daily 5pm – 12am

13. The Elephant Bar

An Indian cocktail bar has opened up in the Keong Saik hood. The Elephant Room is a modern Indian cocktail bar hidden above Burnt Ends. Tuck into their signature cocktails and bites like their Tamarind Curry Prawns.

20A Teck Lim Road, S 088391

14. The Old Man 

Hidden behind a discreet door in KeSA House is The Old Man Singapore, a sister venue to the award-winning, Hemingway inspired cocktail bar from Hong Kong that earned spots on Asia’s 50 Best Bars and the World’s 50 Best Bars just a year after opening. To be honest, we aren’t all that surprised that they chose Singapore as the locale for their first overseas venue because the tippling scene here seems to be getting more sophisticated every day. Now with this addition to the Keong Saik hood, cocktail connoisseurs have another slick spot to sample imaginative libations.

The Old Man Singapore, 55 Keong Saik Road #01-04, Singapore 089158. p. +65 6909 5505. Open Mon – Sat 5pm – 12am.